Posterior segment manifestations of inflammatory bowel disease

Thirteen patients with inflammatory bowel disease and posterior segment disease were subject to a retrospective review. Eight patients had Crohn's disease and five had ulcerative colitis. In six patients, the inflammatory bowel disease was active when ocular inflammation occurred. Patients had one or more posterior segment findings that included serous retinal detachment (8), choroidal infiltrates (6), retrobulbar neuritis (1), papillitis (1), retinal pigment epithelium disturbance (1), and choroidal folds (1). Posterior segment disease responded to systemic and periocular corticosteroids in 9 of 13 cases. Four patients whose disease relapsed after corticosteroid therapy was suspended responded to bowel resection. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the wide spectrum of posterior segment abnormalities associated with inflammatory bowel disease that may require and respond to anti-inflammatory agents.